Transforming Lives and Communities
One&Only is proud to support the development of the communities where we work and offer the opportunity for our guests to contribute in a purposeful way. At One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, we work together with Handspun Hope in Rwanda’s Northern Province, an organization that supports vulnerable women who experienced trauma in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as those living with HIV/AIDS.
The organization empowers strong and resilient women by providing them with dignified jobs and spiritual counselling as well as by fostering community development. One&Only supports Handspun Hope by purchasing locally inspired crafts made by the female artisans, including adorable handmade plush animals that are offered to guests as turndown gifts. Guests who visit One&Only Nyungwe House also receive plush chimpanzees from Handspun Hope, a memento of these compelling creatures who live in the ancient rainforest surrounding the resort, and whose calls can be heard echoing through the canopy.
“One&Only is driven by community empowerment which is why working together with Handspun Hope is such a natural partnership,” says Simon Pierre Dufitumukiza, Country Director at Handspun Hope. “The more of our products that are purchased by the resort and guests, the more our artists benefit and their incomes increase. This is all possible thanks to the effort and dedication of the remarkable women who invest so much of themselves in making such beautiful handicrafts.”
Jacky Ndererimana, a community member from Musanze and a supervisor at Handspun Hope, is an artisan herself who oversees the team that knits sweaters. Each day, she trains and guides her team and works with them to develop new designs and liaise with customers.
According to Jacky, being part of Handspun Hope has helped her socialise with her community, build new friendships, and made her feel loved. She is grateful for Handspun Hope’s partnership with One&Only because it has led to increased sales and secured her a source of income.
Francine Mukantagara, another Handspun Hope artisan, says that the income she earns from her work helps her provide for her family and pay taxes as her contribution to the country’s development. She no longer depends on her husband to support the family and that makes her proud.
“When guests buy our crafts such as gorillas, chimpanzees, lions or knitted sweaters and beanies and take them as souvenirs from Rwanda, it gives us a deep sense of pride for our country and as women at Handspun Hope,” Francine says.
One&Only is privileged to partner with Handspun Hope and we look forward to continuing to support the organisation, and the women who make our guests’ time in Rwanda truly memorable. Each souvenir from the women of Handspun is not simply a plush animal or knitted sweater, but a piece of Rwanda made with love by